There are multiple methods of list building, and if you are just getting started, until you have gained mastery over one or two methods, it is advisable to use multiple methods of list building strategies.
There is some sort of special force in massive action--so do just that--use massive action. Take one of these strategies each day and take massive action with it. For example, in part 2, I cover articles. What would massive action be?
How about write 3 articles and post them to at least 100 article directories? That is massive action. Then the next day, take massive action regarding part 3, forums. Become a member or 100 forums and answer 100 forum questions everyday. And so on day after day. If you truly work at building a list and taking massive action, you can build a huge list and do it faster than you ever dreamed possible.
One thing to note here: if you are using multiple sources for your list building, track every source. Not just for traffic, but for source-specific sign-ups and for sales. You might find that one list source gives you 3x the number of sign-ups, which is exciting. But if you aren't tracking things deeply enough, you might not know that the bulk of your sales are coming from another list, one that is a little slower to grow. Just keep that in mind. Know more about it you can visit www.list-management-secrets.com.
There are three stages to building a list:
1) Preparation. You must get a squeeze page and an auto responder sequence up and running. A squeeze page is basically a web page that has a brief introduction, offering the reader an incentive to join your list. Perhaps you are offering an online course or a free ebook or a free tool for their business. After that brief introduction and call to action, you will have an opt-in form, provided by your auto responder service, to collect names and email addresses.
For your auto responder sequence, unless you already have product to pitch, you should just send the subscribers useful information every few days. If you do not have a main web site or product yet, that is OK, just send an email once or twice a week with useful information. For more details you can login to www.build-own-list.com. You could even send them the articles that you write in part 2. But you must keep in touch with them, because if you add them to your list today and then don't mail them for two months, they will not recognize you and they will see you as SPAM. Bad. So write once or twice a week, and you will build rapport with them.
2) Getting in front of qualified subscribers. You see, I say qualified, because any old name on your list is not what you are looking for. You want people on your list who are genuinely looking to improve themselves, their business, or their hobby. How do you do this? In each of the list building strategies that you employ, be sure and offer people great content, not just a free gift.